Aiyedatiwa ends percentage salary era in Ondo
Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has officially ended the era of percentage salary payment in the state, assuring workers of full and prompt salary payments across all state-owned tertiary institutions.
The governor made this known today, October 25, 2025, during the combined 12th–23rd convocation ceremony of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo
Governor Aiyedatiwa revealed that his administration had cleared 10 out of the 13 months of salary arrears inherited from previous administrations and had approved the payment of the remaining three months.
Describing the period of percentage salary as “a dark and painful chapter” in the state’s history, he vowed never to allow such hardship to return for workers in the state.
“Realising that no meaningful teaching and learning can take place when workers are owed huge salaries, our administration took decisive steps to end the crisis,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He explained that the government had approved Special Intervention Funds on three occasions to pay outstanding salaries and also increased the institution’s monthly subvention from January 2024.
The governor further lamented that Rufus Giwa Polytechnic had not held a convocation since 2013, describing the situation as unacceptable. He commended the Acting Rector and management for promptly organizing the event after his directive, stressing that such neglect must never repeat itself.
Aiyedatiwa also appreciated the patience and cooperation of both staff and students during the difficult years, especially the workers’ unions who chose dialogue over strikes.
Reaffirming his commitment to repositioning the education sector, the governor restated his administration’s plan to upgrade Rufus Giwa Polytechnic into a full-fledged University of Agriculture and Agro-Business, adding that the implementation process was already underway.
He further commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for ongoing infrastructure support and urged alumni, corporate organizations, and philanthropists to support the institution’s development.
In his remarks, the Acting Rector, Mr. Olorunwa Adegun, described the governor’s intervention as timely and life-changing.
“Before Your Excellency came on board, workers were owed 13 months’ salary arrears, and some received as low as five per cent. The hardship led to deaths and low morale among staff. But your intervention has changed the story,” Adegun said.
He also listed the accreditation of 68 academic programmes, reopening of the staff school, and successful hosting of the long-delayed convocation as major achievements under the Aiyedatiwa administration.
Governor Aiyedatiwa was later conferred with an honorary fellowship award of the Polytechnic and inaugurated several new infrastructural projects during the ceremony.
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This report was issued by Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, on October 25, 2025.
